Farmer Focus: We need to adapt to changing rainfall patterns

It rained today. Twice. I feel very fortunate as I hadn’t long finished rolling in the SFI plots and everything needs a drink.

Three weeks ago the oats had the second and last dose of Limus urea, just before the last shower. Hopefully, this is now all where it should be.

See also: 3 technologies to measure farm soil health and function

About the author

Anthony Becvar

Anthony Becvar is a third-generation farmer of an 80ha mixed farm in East Sussex on heavy Weald Clay. Crops include spring beans, winter wheat and spring barley, alongside diversification projects which include two breweries and an agricultural mechanic.

Read more articles by Anthony Becvar

A week ago we sprayed the broad-leaved weeds.

This included the linseed companion crop, which hasn’t yet flowered, unfortunately, but the hedgerows and margins are making up for that.

Last year I wanted the companions, and mayweed on the headlands, to flower for pollinators but it meant having to glyphosate everything late on, which didn’t leave a clean harvest.

A clean crop in the store is essential without drying or cleaning equipment on farm.

While it has rained, I don’t own a rain gauge so don’t know how much we’ve had.

What I do know is that, in recent years, we get more than we need in the winter and early spring, then not enough from mid-spring to early summer, then too much at the wrong time from harvest until early autumn.

The gist is that we don’t get it when we need it and we get too much when we don’t. Why do I need a rain gauge to confirm this or give me false hope?

The climate is changing, so I (and we as an industry) need to accept this and maybe take further action to mitigate it than first thought.

I’m very interested in regenerative agriculture or, as I prefer to call it, soil-first farming.

I’m, therefore, trying to increase our soil organic matter levels while only carrying out appropriate soil movement to stop winter slumping, capping and compaction; alongside growing cover crops and companions to build better soil structure.

But is it enough? Probably.

I’ve recognised the problem I have caused for my soils and I am taking suitable action. It won’t happen overnight, but I’m seeing positive outcomes already.

The changing climate is obviously making farming as much of a trial as world politics and the economy are. Making an effort to increase resilience to one of these is surely a must?